An attempted breach of a Cincinnati FBI building has led to an active standoff with an armed suspect in Clinton County, according to officials with Ohio State Highway Patrol.
According to FBI Cincinnati, it started around 9 a.m. when a man showed up to the FBI office in Kenwood and attempted to breach the visitor screening facility.
An alarm went off and FBI special agents responded when the man fired a nail gun at law enforcement personnel. The man then held up an AR-15-style rifle before fleeing in a vehicle north onto I-71 leading Ohio State Highway Patrol on a pursuit into Clinton County.
Police said during the pursuit, the suspect fired shots from his vehicle before getting off the highway, stopping near Smith and Center roads.
That’s when police said the suspect and officers exchanged gunfire, leading to an ongoing active standoff. No officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire. It’s unclear if the suspect was struck by gunfire or injured.
OSP said the standoff is contained to a certain area but a lockdown remains in place to ensure safety of those living nearby.
Clinton County Emergency Management Agency officials say the man is described as wearing a gray shirt and body armor. No further details on the suspect have been released.
I-71 is closed between State Routes 73 and 68 in both directions until further notice. State Route 73 is also shut down in both directions between Mitchell Road and State Route 380.
State Route 380 is also closed between State Route 73 and Brimstone Road.
A lockdown is in effect for all buildings within a one-mile radius of Smith Road and Center Road, according to Clinton County EMA. Residents and businesses are asked to lock their doors.
This is a breaking news story, WLWT is working to learn more and will continue to update with the latest information as it comes in.
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